Tim Elliott
Welcome to Lawgical, the UAE’s first and only legal podcast. My name is Tim Elliott. Lawgical comes to you from the Dubai-based legal firm HPL Yamalova & Plewka. As ever, here is the managing partner, Ludmila Yamalova. Very good to see you.
Ludmila Yamalova
Good to see you too, Tim.
Tim Elliott
Thanks for being here. Special podcast today, Ludmila. In terms of the topic, that’s one thing, but I’ll come to that in a second. It’s also the 100th episode of Lawgical we’ve recorded together in the current form that Lawgical takes. We started working on these in the summer of 2019—pre-pandemic. We’ve come through a few things. You’ve been podcasting, of course, before that, but then we turned it into more of a conversational thing, hopefully getting across intricate legal stuff as simply as we could. Happy anniversary, I think.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you very much. I think it’s well deserved and truly an accomplishment that you, I, and my team have put together. Initially, the idea was conceptualized by my colleague, Hanan, who was the advocate for podcasts. I must admit, until Hanan championed this initiative, I wasn’t particularly big on podcasts.
Tim Elliott
You were coming into the radio station when I was working at Dubai Eye, which is a talk station. You used to come in regularly on our shows there.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes, and that was more of a traditional medium, which I was more familiar with by virtue of my generation. But podcasting was different. Having specialized apps, downloading content—it wasn’t something I was well-versed in. My younger team planted the seed, saying their generation listened to podcasts almost exclusively. That’s what ultimately led to us launching our own.
Tim Elliott
And just as well, you did. Within the last two years, specifically just over a year, keeping up with what’s happening legally in this country has been a job in itself.
Ludmila Yamalova
Absolutely. The last two-plus years have been extraordinary in terms of legislative developments in the UAE. We’ve witnessed transformative reforms happening at an unprecedented pace. From a legal standpoint, it’s invigorating—reading, deciphering, analyzing, and sharing these changes.
Tim Elliott
One hundred episodes in, nearly three years on, it’s time to talk about golden visas. This is not a new thing—golden visas have been around for a while—but social media is now awash with people celebrating theirs.
Ludmila Yamalova
Indeed. When the golden visa was first introduced, it was a very exclusive proposition for a small, privileged group. It represented a significant departure from the previous system of two- or three-year employment-linked visas. The golden visa offered two key benefits: a 10-year duration and self-sponsorship, granting professionals and contributors freedom from traditional employment restrictions.
Tim Elliott
It’s now something you can apply for rather than being invitation-only. One key difference that stands out is how families are protected—if the original visa holder passes away, family members can still stay in the UAE.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes, that’s one of the latest benefits. Family members, including spouses and children of any age, can stay for the remainder of the visa’s duration. Other enhancements include the ability to sponsor domestic workers without number limitations and the removal of the six-month maximum stay outside the UAE.
Tim Elliott
Clearly, there’s been a change in thinking—encouraging people to stay benefits the economy and the nation’s diversity.
Ludmila Yamalova
Exactly. This initiative provides long-term security for residents, encouraging them to invest locally rather than abroad. It’s a win for both families and the economy.
Tim Elliott
Golden visas are not new, but the added benefits come into effect this September.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes, and we’ve already seen recent graduates being approved based on academic qualifications. These updates will further enhance the program’s appeal.
Tim Elliott
That’s another episode of Lawgical—episode 100. Happy anniversary, Ludmila.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you, Tim. Here’s to another hundred episodes.
Tim Elliott
Find us at L.Y. Law on social media—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Our library of hundreds of podcasts covers a wide range of legal topics, all free. For a legal question answered in a future episode or to talk to a qualified UAE legal professional, click contact at lylawyers.com.